Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

Establishment and operation of a cooperative program to identify work-related acute myeloid leukemia in a general hospital: Jiyoun Jung, Hye-ran Choi, Byung-Sik Cho, Silvia Park, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang, Hee-Je Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e33. Published online November 12, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e33

Background

The purpose of this report is to introduce the occupational cancer surveillance system, implemented in June 2018, and to share the results of our cooperative program.

Methods

The cooperative program begins when the patient is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Newly diagnosed AML patients are admitted to the internal medicine hematology department, then attending hematology physician requests a consultation from the occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) department. The OEM doctor next visits the hospitalized patient and interviews them to take their occupational history, and preliminarily evaluates the likelihood that the condition is associated with occupation. If the patient wants to apply for compensation through the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, the patient was informed to visits the outpatient clinic of the OEM department and requests a ‘work-relatedness evaluation report’ for use in applying for compensation.

Results

Among the 103 patients, who received an OEM departmental work history evaluation, 18 patients were considered to have a work-related incidence and 12 patients were registered in the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance system.

Conclusions

The present report provides data on a sustainable model for identifying occupational disease in a general hospital setting, while also informing patients about their occupational rights.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Case-Control Study of Occupational Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Republic of Korea
Min Young Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Byung-Sik Cho, Hee-Je Kim, Mo-Yeol Kang
Safety and Health at Work.2023; 14(4): 451. CrossRef
Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study
Ning Liu, Yang Peng, Xinguang Zhong, Zheng Ma, Suiping He, Ying Li, Wencui Zhang, Zijun Gong, Zhenjiang Yao
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

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Research Article

Occupational cancer claims in Korea from 2010 to 2016: Kyungjoon Lee, Sujin Lee, Jeehee Min, Inah Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:64. Published online November 1, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0272-6

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Background

Research on carcinogens causing occupational cancer has been updated. Further, social interest in occupational cancer has increased. In addition, the standard for recognizing cancer as a work-related disease has also been revised. The present study aims to describe the distribution of occupational cancer claims or its approval rate and their association with work-related variables.

Methods

We analyzed 1299 claim cases for occupational cancer from 2010 to 2016 provided by the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL). The status of approval rate was shown by year, sex, industry, occupation, age of diagnosis, duration from employment to diagnosis, and cancer site.

Results

The approval rate was 39.0% from 2010 to 2016 and tended to increase annually since 2011. Both the number of claims and the approval rate were higher in men. Mining and quarrying showed the highest approval rate (78.4%). The approval rates by age of diagnosis and duration from employment to diagnosis increased as the time periods increased. Respiratory organ had the highest number of claims and the highest approval rate by cancer site.

Conclusions

The approval rate of occupational cancer has shown an increasing trend since 2011. The increase of occupational carcinogens and cancer sites and the improvement of social awareness about occupational cancer could have resulted in this trend. The present study provides unique, and the latest and most accurate findings on occupational cancer data of recent 7 years that could be helpful to researchers or policy makers on occupational cancer.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cancer incidence among male construction workers in the Republic of Korea: a standardized incidence ratio analysis, 2009–2015
Soonsu Shin, Woo-Ri Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Wanhyung Lee
Epidemiology and Health.2023; : e2023060. CrossRef
Case-Control Study of Occupational Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Republic of Korea
Min Young Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jun-Pyo Myong, Byung-Sik Cho, Hee-Je Kim, Mo-Yeol Kang
Safety and Health at Work.2023; 14(4): 451. CrossRef
Status and prediction of disapproval of the Korean workers’ compensation insurance for diseases and injuries
Soo Beom Choi, Seunghyun Lee, Wanhyung Lee
Journal of Occupational Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Distribution of Lung-RADS categories according to job type in a single shipyard workers
Eui Yup Chung, Young Hoo Shin, Young Wook Kim, Jun Seok Son, Chan Woo Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Jun Ho Lee, Seung Hyun Park, Sung Joon Woo, Chang Ho Chae
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Establishment and operation of a cooperative program to identify work-related acute myeloid leukemia in a general hospital
Jiyoun Jung, Hye-ran Choi, Byung-Sik Cho, Silvia Park, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang, Hee-Je Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Risk of cancer and longest‐held occupations in Japanese workers: A multicenter hospital‐based case‐control study
Rena Kaneko, Masayoshi Zaitsu, Yuzuru Sato, Yasuki Kobayashi
Cancer Medicine.2019; 8(13): 6139. CrossRef

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Review

Radiation-related occupational cancer and its recognition criteria in South Korea: Songwon Seo, Dalnim Lee, Ki Moon Seong, Sunhoo Park, Soo-Geun Kim, Jong-Uk Won, Young Woo Jin; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:9. Published online February 2, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0219-y

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Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen, and is listed as one carcinogenic agent of occupational cancer. Given the increase in the number of workers exposed to radiation, as well as the increase in concern regarding occupational cancer, the number of radiation-related occupational cancer claims is expected to increase. Unlike exposure assessment of other carcinogenic agents in the workplace, such as asbestos and benzene, radiation exposure is usually assessed on an individual basis with personal dosimeters, which makes it feasible to assess whether a worker’s cancer occurrence is associated with their individual exposure. However, given the absence of a threshold dose for cancer initiation, it remains difficult to identify radiation exposure as the root cause of occupational cancer. Moreover, the association between cancer and radiation exposure in the workplace has not been clearly established due to a lack of scientific evidence. Therefore, criteria for the recognition of radiation-related occupational cancer should be carefully reviewed and updated with new scientific evidence and social consensus. The current criteria in Korea are valid in terms of eligible radiogenic cancer sites, adequate latent period, assessment of radiation exposure, and probability of causation. However, reducing uncertainty with respect to the determination of causation between exposure and cancer and developing more specific criteria that considers mixed exposure to radiation and other carcinogenic agents remains an important open question.

Citations

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Predictive DNA damage signaling for low‑dose ionizing radiation
Jeong-In Park, Seung-Youn Jung, Kyung-Hee Song, Dong-Hyeon Lee, Jiyeon Ahn, Sang-Gu Hwang, In-Su Jung, Dae-Seog Lim, Jie-Young Song
International Journal of Molecular Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Fuzzy-Based Bioengineering System for Predicting and Diagnosing Diseases of the Nervous System Triggered by the Interaction of Industrial Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
Nikolay Aleexevich Korenevskiy, Riad Taha Al-Kasasbeh, Evgenia A. Krikunova, Sofia N. Rodionova, Ashraf Shaqdan, Osama M. Al-Habahbeh, Sergey Filist, Mahdi Salman Alshamasin, Mohammad S. Khrisat, Maksim Ilyash
Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering.2024; 52(5): 1. CrossRef
INTENSITY OF OXIDATIVE PROCESSES IN BLOOD AND LEVEL OF APOPTOSIS IN BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN RADIOLOGISTS/X-RAY TECHNOLOGIES EXPOSED TO SMALL DOSES OF IONIZING RADIATION
O. A. Glavin, E. A. Domina, V. S. Ivankova, V. M. Mikhailenko, L. I. Makovetska, T. V. Khrulenko, M. O. Druzhyna
Проблеми радіаційної медицини та радіобіології = Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.2023; 28: 191. CrossRef
Dose-Response Effects of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation on Blood Parameters in Industrial Irradiation Workers
Jia-jia Guo, Ning Liu, Zheng Ma, Zi-jun Gong, Yue-lang Liang, Qi Cheng, Xin-guang Zhong, Zhen-jiang Yao
Dose-Response.2022; 20(2): 155932582211056. CrossRef
Assessment of risks for breast cancer in a flight attendant exposed to night shift work and cosmic ionizing radiation: a case report
Dong Joon Park, Sungkyun Park, Seong Won Ma, Hoekyeong Seo, Sang Gil Lee, Kyung-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Problem of the Relationship of the Developed Oncological Disease with Radiation in Conditions of Production
I. Galstyan, V. Nugis, F. Torubarov, B. Kukhta, M. Konchalovsky, A. Kretov, A. Bushmanov
Medical Radiology and radiation safety.2021; 65(6): 76. CrossRef
Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study
Ning Liu, Yang Peng, Xinguang Zhong, Zheng Ma, Suiping He, Ying Li, Wencui Zhang, Zijun Gong, Zhenjiang Yao
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Demographic and onco-epidemiological situation in radioactive contaminated territory of Zhytomyr Oblast
L. O. Herasymchuk, G. M. Martenyuk, R. A. Valerko, M. M. Kravchuk
Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems.2019; 10(1): 32. CrossRef
Acute radiation syndrome in a non-destructive testing worker: a case report
Ji-Sung Ahn, Jai-Dong Moon, Wonyang Kang, Hyeong-Min Lim, Seunghyeon Cho, Dae-Young Lim, Won-Ju Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
DNA damage response in workers exposed to low-dose ionising radiation
Simona Gaetani, Federica Monaco, Massimo Bracci, Veronica Ciarapica, Giulia Impollonia, Matteo Valentino, Marco Tomasetti, Lory Santarelli, Monica Amati
Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018; 75(10): 724. CrossRef

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Research Article

Probability of causation for occupational cancer after exposure to ionizing radiation: Eun-A Kim, Eujin Lee, Seong-Kyu Kang, Meeseon Jeong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:3. Published online January 31, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0220-5

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Background

Probability of causation (PC) is a reasonable way to estimate causal relationships in radiation-related cancer. This study reviewed the international trend, usage, and critiques of the PC method. Because it has been used in Korea, it is important to check the present status and estimation of PC in radiation-related cancers in Korea.

Methods

Research articles and official reports regarding PC of radiation-related cancer and published from the 1980s onwards were reviewed, including studies used for the revision of the Korean PC program. PC has been calculated for compensation-related cases in Korea since 2005.

Results

The United States National Institutes of Health first estimated the PC in 1985. Among the 106 occupational diseases listed in the International Labor Organization Recommendation 194 (International Labor Office (ILO), ILO List of Occupational Diseases, 2010), PC is available only for occupational cancer after ionizing radiation exposure. The United States and United Kingdom use PC as specific criteria for decisions on the compensability of workers’ radiation-related health effects. In Korea, PC was developed firstly as Korean Radiation Risk and Assigned Share (KORRAS) in 1999. In 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute and Radiation Health Research Institute jointly developed a more revised PC program, Occupational Safety and Health-PC (OSH-PC). Between 2005 and 2015, PC was applied in 16 claims of workers’ compensation for radiation-related cancers. In most of the cases, compensation was given when the PC was more than 50%. However, in one case, lower than 50% PC was accepted considering the possibility of underestimation of the cumulative exposure dose.

Conclusions

PC is one of the most advanced tools for estimating the causation of occupational cancer. PC has been adjusted for baseline cancer incidence in Korean workers, and for uncertainties using a statistical method. Because the fundamental reason for under- or over-estimation is probably inaccurate dose reconstruction, a proper guideline is necessary.

Citations

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Assessment of risks for breast cancer in a flight attendant exposed to night shift work and cosmic ionizing radiation: a case report
Dong Joon Park, Sungkyun Park, Seong Won Ma, Hoekyeong Seo, Sang Gil Lee, Kyung-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluation of Attributability of Cancer to Radiation Exposure Using Probability of Causation: Issues and Perspectives
Shinji YOSHINAGA
Japanese Journal of Health Physics.2021; 56(4): 306. CrossRef
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0007059 restrains proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cells via inhibiting microRNA-378
Shunji Gao, Yanyan Yu, Lu Liu, Jun Meng, Guifang Li
Life Sciences.2019; 233: 116692. CrossRef
Acute radiation syndrome in a non-destructive testing worker: a case report
Ji-Sung Ahn, Jai-Dong Moon, Wonyang Kang, Hyeong-Min Lim, Seunghyeon Cho, Dae-Young Lim, Won-Ju Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Original Article

Worker's Compensation Claims and Approval Status for Occupational Cancers in Korea from 2000 to 2009: Won Cheol Lee, Dong Il Kim, Young Jun Kwon, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, In Ah Kim, Jae Hong Ryoo, Soo Geun Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(2):112-121. Published online June 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.2.112

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the occupational cancer claims compensated by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance that is operated by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL).
METHODS
Using the COMWEL electronic database, we collected 1,933 claims for occupational cancer based on the worker's compensation records in the COMWEL from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009. We analyzed the characteristics of the claims.
RESULTS
The average number of claims per year for occupational cancer was 193 and the approval rate was 13.1% from 2000 to 2009. Men accounted for 93.7% of the approved cases and had a higher approval rate. Approval rates increased with age. Among claims for occupational cancer, the most common was digestive cancer. On the other hand, the highest approval rate was for mesothelioma claims, followed by respiratory cancer, lymphoid or hematopoietic cancer. By industry, claims were most common in manufacturing, but the approval rate was highest in mining and quarrying. By occupation, claims most commonly came from legislators, senior officials & managers, but the approval rate was highest for craft & related trades workers. The average of tenure period was 15.5 years for approved cases, but 10.3 years for non-approved cases, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
We analyzed the characteristics of the occupational cancer claims which were compensated for the last 10 years accrording to the approved results. For the purpose of long-term understanding and management of worker's compensation status for occupational cancer, we should gather accurate information of the carcinogenic factors involved in order to achieve the systematic improvement that is needed.

Citations

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Estimating Benzene Exposure Level over Time and by Industry Type through a Review of Literature on Korea
Donguk Park, Sangjun Choi, Kwonchul Ha, Hyejung Jung, Chungsik Yoon, Dong-Hee Koh, Seunghun Ryu, Soogeun Kim, Dongmug Kang, Kyemook Yoo
Safety and Health at Work.2015; 6(3): 174. CrossRef
Compensation for Occupational Cancer
Inah Kim, Eun-A Kim, Jae Young Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S40. CrossRef
Occupational Cancers with Chemical Exposure and their Prevention in Korea: A Literature Review
Kyung-Taek Rim
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2013; 14(6): 3379. CrossRef

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Review

Occupational Cancer in Korea in the 1990s: Seong Kyu Kang, Yeon Soon Ahn, Ho Keun Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(4):351-359. Published online December 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.4.351

Abstract PDF

The proportion of cancer as a cause of death in Korean has been continuously increasing. In 2000, 24 %(59,020 of 247,346) of deaths were caused by cancer. Occupational exposure would have contributed to the development of some cancers. It would have accounted for more than 2,000 cancers in a year if 4% of all cancer or 10% of lung cancer was regarded as arising from the work environment. However, occupational cancer has not been reported as much as expected. The first case of occupational cancer reported officially was mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure at an asbestos textile industry in 1992. Following the report, many cases of occupational cancers have been reported such as lung cancer due to exposure to asbestos, chromium, exhaust gases, coke oven emissions, and silica, as well as leukemia due to exposure to benzene or other solvent and bladder cancer arising from exposure to benzidine salts. The Health Examination for retirees has been conducted since 1992 in order to detect occupational cancer early in workers who have been exposed to 11 carcinogenic substances. However, to date no occupational cancer has been detected through the Retirees' Health Examination. The Korea Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWC) has referred 108 claims for occupational cancer to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) between 1992 and 2000. Thirty-three cases were accepted, including 14 cases of lung cancer, eight cases of hematopoietic cancer and six cases of mesothelioma. KLWC has accepted the claim for primary lung cancer developed with pneumoconiosis as an occupational cancer, of which there were 31 cases in 1999 and 61 cases in 2000. In conclusion, special attention is required to detect occupational cancer due to their long latency period and the fact they are usually found after retirement.

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Jung-Won Kim, Dong-Mug Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S66. CrossRef
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Yeon-Soon Ahn, Kyoung Sook Jeong
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(11): 1473. CrossRef
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Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
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Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef
Occupational Burden of Cancer in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Hye-Eun Lee, Seong-Kyu Kang
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Occupational Lymphohematopoietic Cancer in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Won Jin Lee, Mia Son, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S99. CrossRef
Occupational Respiratory Cancer in Korea
Hye-Eun Lee, Hyoung Ryoul Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S94. CrossRef
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Yeon-Soon AHN, Seong-Kyu KANG
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